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Remembering the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

It has been nearly a decade since a tremendous tsunami struck South Central Asian coastlines, the largest natural disaster of the new century.

The tsunami struck on Dec. 26, 2004, and killed an estimated 230,000 people, including 51 Americans missing or killed.

U.S. are commemorating the disaster with an event details the science and impact of the giant waves.
• Hear a first-hand account from a NOAA tsunami forecaster who was on the forecast desk in Hawaii at NOAA’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Dec. 26, 2004. What did they know, what were their limitations and how are international tsunami warning operations different today?

• Hear an amazing first-hand account from an American tourist who was in Thailand during the tsunami, his harrowing experience about getting swept away in the wave and his ultimate triumphant survival story. He happens to be a biologist at NOAA Fisheries!

• Hear from NOAA’s tsunami program manager about where the U.S. was in 2004 versus where we are today on tsunami preparedness. Is the U.S. prone to similar tsunamis? Which areas are most vulnerable? Is the United States ready? What is still needed?

• Hear from a NOAA researcher who is on the front lines of developing new technologies for tsunami detection and warning. What’s on the horizon?

• Hear from a scientist with NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service on development of the historical tsunami database and how these data are used in hazard assessments for validation of tsunami models and by the tsunami warning centers.